It’s all Greek — and good — to them

Food and wine tasting benefit held in envoy’s living room

Kudos to Greece for giving us democracy, the Olympics and fraternity toga parties, but it was its valuable contribution of cuisine that became the focus of a cooking demonstration held right in the living room of the Greek ambassador’s Glebe residence Thursday.

Ambassador Eleftherios

Anghelopoulos co-chaired a heart-healthy Greek wine and food tasting benefit for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute with foundation board member Steve

Ramphos, president of District Realty. Athens-born celebrity chef Christine Cushing sautéed shrimp, prepared dakos (the Greek version of bruschetta), and garnished a Greek yogurt dessert in front of an audience of 100-plus.

The evening was in support of a new cardiac MRI that will go a long way toward helping people with heart disease. The Heart Institute plans to have the diagnostic tool in Ottawa by next summer and its foundation has, so far, raised more than $2 million of the $4 million needed, said interventional cardiologist Dr. Sandy Dick.

Also from the Heart Institute was Dr. Andrew Pipe, who delivered a speech that was entertaining and engaging. “Because of your generosity and graciousness, we are very proud that we have in this city one of the finest cardiovascular centres in the world,” he told the room.

The good doctor singled out Greece for having a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, veggies, fish, olive oil and, of course, red wine, which elicited chuckles from the guests and one enthusiastic “Amen!” from Nick Pantieras as he raised his empty wine glass.

Attendees included the Greek community’s spiritual leader, Fr. Alex Michalopulos, Hellenic Community president Jim Reklitis, philanthropist Peter Foustanellas, CHEO neurosurgeon

Michael Vassilyadi and artist Katerina Mertikas.

OTTAWA HOSPITAL GALA

On Wednesday, British High Commissioner Howard Drake also opened his doors to the health care community and its backers by hosting a reception for sponsors of The Ottawa Hospital Gala. The gala, taking place at the Westin Nov. 9, recognizes the innovative work at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), the research arm of The Ottawa Hospital and an affiliated institute of the University of Ottawa.

“Many in this city don’t realize what a powerhouse of research we really have here in Ottawa,” the OHRI’s

Dr. Duncan Stewart told the room of executives, lawyers and philanthropists inside the historic home, Earnscliffe. Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin attended, as did Steve West, chair of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation board and head of Nordion, the returning title gala sponsor. Jeff Boyd was there from RBC. It sponsored the reception with Telesat, represented by Dan Goldberg. His wife, Whitney Fox, is chairing the sold-out gala with lawyer Greg Kane, and plans to rev the night up with a futuristic fashion installation by couturier Frank

Sukhoo. Sukhoo.

NAC SEASON KICKOFF

The National Arts Centre kicked off its season of theatre Friday with a wickedly funny version of the classic French comedy Tartuffe, adapted by and featuring Newfoundland comedian, actor and writer Andy Andy Jones Jones of CODCO fame.

He arrived to the opening night party to discover that a large contingent of family members and friends had travelled from all over to be there. All seven siblings of his wife, Mary-Lynn Mary-Lynn Bernard, Bernard, were among the two dozen relatives to show up. Friends were also out from St. John’s to see the Newfoundland-based production on the big stage.

“We’ve seen it back home, right, but we wanted to see it at the National Arts Centre,” explained Emma Butler, an art gallery owner. “Of course, we’re so proud of Andy … It’s an honour to be here.”

Jones was touched by the support. “I’m gobsmacked,” he said, quoting a line from the play. Tartuffe is directed by Jillian Keiley, artistic director for NAC English Theatre. She’s a native of Newfoundland while the new managing director, Nathan Medd, hails from the other end, Vancouver Island.

As cast and crew hit the party, everyone applauded and raised their drinks. Recorded music by Great Big Sea played while guests helped themselves to chilled mussels, Atlantic salmon and apple crumble.

BUSINESS BACKS ARTS

If there’s an art to mixing art with business then the Ottawa chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (AmCham) has mastered it.

It wrapped up its series of AmCham & The Arts on Wednesday with award-winning American author Thurston Clarke speaking about his latest book, JFK’s Last Hundred Days, to Canadian author and journalist Andrew Cohen at the Canadian War Museum.

“I think the business community has a role to play in the arts (because) we all have an interest in the arts, one way or another,” Ottawa AmCham board member and organizer Paul Salvatore told Around Town.

Salvatore is a partner at law firm Low Murchison Radnoff. It presented the series with the U.S. Embassy and KPMG. One of its partners, Alan Tippett, is also on the Ottawa board of AmCham Canada, an organization that promotes trade and investment between Canada and the U.S. The series’ previous two programs showcased American artists working in the visual arts and music.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Now that Brian Burke is no longer GM of the Leafs, we Sens fans don’t have to hate him anymore, if we ever really did. On Wednesday, he was led in style by the Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band into the Convention Centre ballroom for the ninth Annual Special Olympics Festival Breakfast. Burke, new president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames, was escorted with Special Olympic athletes and dignitaries. He’d just returned from paying a Thanksgiving visit to Canadian troops in Kuwait.

Burke, who was keynote speaker, has been a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. “I tell our athletes, ‘If you can watch these (Special Olympic) athletes compete and not get a lump in your throat, then you have no soul’,” he told Around Town. The breakfast was once again co-chaired by Don Burke and Lisa Langevin, both law partners at Kelly Santini. Don Burke has just been named a national award winner by Special Olympics for the support shown by him and his firm to the athletes. Attendees included police Chief Charles Bordeleau, Deputy Chief Ed Keeley and Senator Jim Munson.

PHOTOS: CAROLINE PHILLIPS/OTTAWA CITIZEN Steve Ramphos with his wife, Doris, at a Greek wine and food tasting benefit for the Heart Institute, held Thursday, at the residence of Greek Ambassador Eleftherios Anghelopoulos.

From left, Tartuffe director Jillian Keiley, writer and actor Andy Jones and NAC English Theatre’s Nathan Medd at the opening night of Tartuffe at the National Arts Centre Friday.

From left, Dr. Sandy Dick, Dr. Anastasia Anthi and Greek Ambassador Eleftherios Anghelopoulos at the wine and food tasting benefit the ambassador hosted.

Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, Greg Kane, British High Commissioner Howard Drake and Frank McArdle at The Ottawa Hospital Gala VIP reception held Wednesday.

From left, Bob Plamondon, Laura Peck and Bruce Burrows at the Canadian War Museum for the AmCham & The Arts night.

From left, American author Thurston Clarke and Andrew Cohen at the AmCham & The Arts night.

John and Maria Bassi at the Greek wine and food tasting benefit for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Christine Cushing staged a cooking demonstration in the living room of the ambassador’s residence.

Dan Goldberg, left, and Bashir Surani at the British high commissioner’s residence on Wednesday.

Eunice and Steve West at the The Ottawa Hospital Gala VIP reception held Wednesday.

Micheline McElligott, left, and Whitney Fox at the British high commissioner’s residence.

Don Burke, left, with Brian Burke at the ninth annual Special Olympics Festival Breakfast.

Paul Salvatore, left, and Alan Tippett at the AmCham & The Arts night held Wednesday.